Page 22 of Ruin

She presses a kiss to my temple. “Love you, too, girl.”

As I move back, she takes my face in her hands and stares into my eyes. “Everything okay with you?”

I bite my lip and shake my head. “I saw Zeus last night,” I say quietly. “He was at the club.”

A multitude of emotions flashes through her eyes. Anger being the main one. “That’s why you were home early last night.”

“Did I wake you when I came in?”

“I was in bed, reading. I never sleep until you’re home. You should know that by now.”

I touch my hand to hers. Then, I step back from her, pick up my coffee, and take a sip.

“Did he speak to you?”

I nod.

“What did he say?”

“He asked what I was doing there.”

She frowns. “At the club?”

“Yes.”

“And what did you say?”

“I said that I was working.”

“Did he ask about…” Aunt Elle nods in the direction of the door where Gigi just disappeared through a minute ago.

I let out a heavy sigh and put my cup down. “No.”

Her eyes blaze, nostrils flaring. “That mother…effing…craptastic…A-hole!” Aunt Elle whispers out her fire.

We’re a curse-free zone here. Gigi has the ears of a bat and the voice box of a parrot. She hears and repeats everything. And I mean, everything.

“I’m not surprised, Aunt Elle. You shouldn’t be either. He made his feelings perfectly clear five years ago.”

“I know, but still…” She grits her teeth. Jaw working angrily.

“It doesn’t matter. He doesn’t matter.”

“No, he doesn’t. You and Gigi have done just fine without him,” Aunt Elle adds.

“Yeah,” I agree. But Gigi shouldn’t have had to, I silently add.

Aunt Elle puts some bread in the toaster.

“Can you put a slice in for me? I’m just gonna go grab Gigi’s ballet shoes and get her ready to leave.”

“Sure thing.”

I stop at the kitchen door. “You want to go out for dinner tonight?” I ask her. “You, me, and Gigi. Girls’ night?”

“You’re not working at the club?”

“No. I think I’m gonna quit. Just in case…you know.”